#RolandMartinUnfiltered - Colo. mass shooting; COVID variant threat: Evanston, IL reparations plan; Boston's 1st Black mayor

Episode Date: March 24, 2021

3.23.21 #RolandMartinUnfiltered: Colorado mass shooting; Gun violence has become a public health issue; Deadly COVID variant spreads: Evanston, IL approves reparations; Diversifying the medical industry; Boston gets its 1st Black mayor; Battle of the vaccinesSupport #RolandMartinUnfiltered via the Cash App ☛ https://cash.app/$rmunfiltered or via PayPal ☛https://www.paypal.me/rmartinunfiltered#RolandMartinUnfiltered is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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At the end of the day, it's all been worth it. I wouldn't change a thing about our lives. Learn about adopting a teen from foster care. Visit AdoptUSKids.org to learn more. Brought to you by AdoptUSKids, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Ad Council. It's Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021. Coming up on Roland Martin Unfiltered, two mass shootings in less than two weeks. Gun violence has become a public health issue. We'll talk about where the doctor

who heads the National Medical Association's Gun Control Task Force. A new, more contagious, and potentially more deadly variant, the coronavirus is spreading across the United States. Should we be concerned? We'll talk about it with an immunology expert. Also, we'll talk with the head

of the Student National Medical Association about their efforts to diversify the medical industry. with an immunology expert. Also, we talked with the head of the Student National Medical Association about their efforts to diversify the medical industry. Ever since Illinois now becomes the first city to approve reparations for its black residents, and Boston has its first black mayor. Plus, hilarious look, the battle of the vaccines. It is, and also, Tamika Mallory

issues a challenge to anyone saying she took advantage of families. I'll explain that. It is time to bring the funk on Rolling Mark Unfiltered. Let's knowing. Putting it down from sports to news to politics. With entertainment just for kicks. He's rolling. It's Uncle Roro, y'all. It's rolling, Martin. Rolling with rolling now.

He's funky, he's fresh, he's real the best. The mass shooting at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado yesterday took place less than a week after eight people were killed in a series of attacks at spots in Atlanta. They are also among at least seven mass shootings in the past week across the U.S., including three incidents on Saturday alone. The National Medical Association is calling gun violence a public health emergency and is calling for action by lawmakers. Joining me now is Dr. Roger Mitchell, a forensic pathologist and Washington, D.C.'s chief medical examiner. He also chairs the National Medical Association's Gun Violence Task Force. All right, Doc, glad to have you here on Roland Martin Unfiltered. It's my pleasure. Thanks for having me.

Dr. Mitchell, I hear you just fine. Ten people dead yesterday in Boulder, Colorado. And, of course, we see what took place eight dead last week in Atlanta. And there was a hearing today on Capitol Hill and just more excuses from Republican senators on how to deal with this issue. Yeah, you know, it's it's it should not have excuses. We're not making excuses to try to save lives from COVID-19. And recently, we've stopped making excuses about saving lives from the opioid crisis. But when it comes to gun violence, firearm violence, we find a way to make excuses to save lives in this country. And it's quite frankly, it's appalling.

And again, it's a whole lot of same old, same old. And listening to folks, you just sit here all, you know, I heard the back and forth from various different people. And then of course you have the typical, you know, thoughts and prayers, thoughts and prayers, thoughts and prayers. This right here is in the moment I'm going to show President Joe Biden speaking. Also, Senator Cory Booker speaking passionately about this issue. But again, what was problematic is listening to Republicans act as if this is no big deal. Let's just focus on getting

the hands out of the criminals. That's the only people that have a problem. This guy in Boulder, Colorado bought the AR-15 just last week. Last week. Yeah. You know, when we're talking about what really needs to happen, we know that 40 percent of all of our guns in the U.S. are sold by private sellers and it requires no background check. Thirty percent of illegal guns, 30 percent of illegal guns are connected to gun shows or other legal means of purchase. There's a real need for us to change the narrative surrounding gun control and the gun violence question. The reality of it is, is that 32,000 firearm-related deaths in the U.S. annually. And it comes up when these active shooters happen. It comes up when Colorado happens and Atlanta happens. But, you know, just this weekend, we had 20 people shot

and four people dead in Chicago. 13 people shot and I think three people dead in Chicago just on Monday. I mean, we're talking about issue after issue surrounding gun violence, but nobody wants to call it a public health crisis and put the necessary resources and mandates in place. Doc, what do you make when you have people like Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas say this? There's been extended systematic attacks on our police and law enforcement professionals for years calling them racist and bigoted and prejudiced, demanding that they be defunded and replaced with social workers. When you condemn the police, when you make it harder to do

their job, you shouldn't be surprised that criminals take advantage of the opportunities that follow and that crime rises and that in particular, violent crime rises. Likewise, some on the left like to complain about mass incarceration. Doc, real interesting. A cop was killed yesterday. So this whole idea that, oh, that calls for dealing with racism in police departments. Oh, that's the blame for this white guy yesterday killing 10 people in Boulder, Colorado. He's conflating the issue. I mean, he's conflating the issue because there's this notion that you have to be anti-police to be pro-life

and pro-gun control. And that's not true. I mean, we know that the issue that happened in Boulder, Colorado has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the institutional and structural racism that is felt by our community that calls for us to call for better policing in our community.

We need better policing in our community and we need proper gun control measures to stop the active shooter or to bring the active shooter in a place where we can control their access to guns. It's a both-and construct. Here's the sheer arrogance of another Republican, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. And every time there's a shooting, we play this ridiculous theater

where this committee gets together and proposes a bunch of laws that would do nothing to be a lawyer. I'm going to be a lawyer. I'm going to be a lawyer. And the committee gets together and proposes a bunch of laws that would do nothing to stop these murders. Senator from Connecticut just said the folks on the other side

of the aisle have no solutions. Well, the senator from Connecticut knows that is false. And he knows that's false because senator grassley and I together introduced legislation, Grassley Cruz targeted at violent criminals, targeted at felons, targeted at fugitives, targeted at those with serious mental disease to stop them from getting firearms, to put them in prison when they try to illegally buy guns. What happens in this committee after every mass shooting is Democrats proposed taking away guns from law-abiding citizens because that's

their political objective. But what they propose, not only does it not reduce crime, it makes it worse. And every time there's a shooting, we play this ridiculous- Okay, Ted, what should we hear this notion of we're trying to take away, there's people trying to take away guns. You know, nobody's talking about anyone trying to take away cars when you need proper licensing to drive a vehicle, when you need to pass tests to drive a vehicle, when you have to have put yourself in position to renew your license. And that those vehicles kill people. And that's the reason why we put those things in place. It's the same thing with seatbelts and helmets. We're not talking about taking away guns. We're talking about creating an environment where the most vulnerable of our

population does not have access to guns and the most vulnerable population are safe from guns. The perpetuation of being tough on crime is just dog whistle for institutional and structural racism. And so, you know, the National Medical Association, we're clear on that we need a COVID-like response to gun violence in this country with adequate research and adequate resources and adequate programs and education, economics, and housing for communities of color. Yes, the act of shooter is much different than the smoldering violence that we see in black communities. There is no doubt about that. And we know how to treat them both. President Joe Biden also spoke out today.

Here's what he had to say. After every mass shooting, his Democrats... Less than a week after the horrific murders of eight people... ...from law-abiding citizens... ...and the assault on the AAPI community in Georgia. While the flag was still flying half-staff for the tragedy, another American city has been scarred by gun violence and resulting trauma.

And the state, I even hate to say it because we're saying it so often, my heart goes out. Our hearts go out for the survivors who had to flee for their lives and who hid, terrified, unsure if they would ever see their families again, their friends again. At this moment, a great deal remains unknown, but three things are certain. First, 10 lives have been lost and more families have been shattered by gun violence in the state of Colorado. And Jill and I are devastated and feeling, I just can't imagine how the families are feeling, the victims whose futures were stolen from them, from their families, from their loved ones. I commend the exceptional bravery of Officer Eric Tully.

I send my deepest condolence to his family, his close, close family and seven children. You know, when he pinned on that badge yesterday morning, he didn't know what the day would bring. But when the moment to act came, Officer Tully did not hesitate in his duty, making the ultimate sacrifice in his effort to save lives. That's a definition of an American hero. wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common sense steps that will save the lives in the future and to urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act. We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country once again. We can close the loopholes in our background check system, including the Charleston loophole. The United States Senate, I hope some are listening, should immediately pass the two House pass bills that close loopholes

in the background check system. These are bills that don't understand why that's somehow controversial. Yeah. And, you know, it's it's very simple. We know that here in D.C., the majority of the guns come from Virginia and they also come from Florida. And there's some areas that come from Alabama. And we know that they're legally bought and then they're brought into this city. And most of the urban centers, that's how there's gun trafficking into our urban centers that are taking advantage of the gun show loopholes to be able to purchase multiple weapons and then be able to sell them on an underground market. That flow of guns into our community must stop. I'm a minister, Roland. I do funerals, and as a forensic pathologist, and just as a correction, I'm the former chief

medical examiner of DC and now the chair of pathology for Howard University. And I've seen my share of families that are devastated. And so there's enough talk about we give our condolences because we do. We need to have real concrete action if we're going to stop this health crisis and treat it as such. Doc, LeMitchell, we surely appreciate it. Thank you so very much for joining us. God bless. Let's go to our panel now. I certainly want to get their thoughts and perspective

on this, folks. Benjamin Dixon, host of the Benjamin Dixon Show podcast. Teresa Lundy, principal founder of TML Communications. Michael Brown, former vice chair of the DNC Finance Committee. What we have here, we have profiles in weakness, Benjamin. To listen to the whiners

and the complainers, to listen to them say all kinds of crazy outlandish things, trying to equate just all car accidents and all kinds of stuff like that. I just sat there and, I mean, for instance, listen to this fool right here, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana. Be brief, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the opportunity. I've listened to my colleagues' comments with interest,

and I join with Senator Feinstein in hoping that we can do something about this. But I do think we ought to keep this in perspective. What has happened in the last few days, what's happened in the last years, is of course tragic. And I'm not trying to perfectly equate these two, but we have a lot of drunk drivers in America that kill a lot of people. We ought to try to combat that too.

But I think what many folks on my side of the aisle are saying is that the answer is not to get rid of all sober drivers. The answer is to concentrate on the problem. We have had a problem in this world for some time with both domestic and international terrorism. Many terrorists happen to be Muslims. When a Muslim jihadist blows up a school full of schoolchildren, we are often told not to condemn all of the actions of those of the Muslim faith because of the actions of a few. And I agree with that. So why doesn't the same rule apply to the 100 million plus gun owners in America who are exercising their constitutional right.

And I think we ought to keep that in mind, ladies and gentlemen, as we talk about this issue. Benjamin. Yeah, you know, John Kennedy, obviously of no connection to JFK, he is representative of what conservatives do on a regular basis. While he's setting it up for us to think about using one person as an example of how we should not vilify an entire group, that's literally what conservatives do. Let this have been a black person. It would have been a referendum on blackness in its totality.

Let this have been. And actually, we are seeing in real time how because this man had an Islamic sounding name, it is slowly but surely turning to a referendum against Muslim people. This is what conservatives do. They are more upset about the possibility of gun control than they are upset about the 10 people who are dead right now in Boulder, Colorado. And I knew that this country was absolutely without hope when I saw them do the same exact thing over the lives of the children at Sandy Hook. They are more committed to protecting the Second Amendment right or the right to bear an AR-15, not the Second Amendment. They're more committed to protecting the right of people to carry guns like AR-15s than they are protecting the lives of children in this country. And for that reason alone, conservatives have blood on their hands.

Teresa. Unfortunately, this is the continuous conversation that we are still dealing with, finding solutions, but also pinning the problem on exactly what we know what the problem is. It's passing the necessary laws in order to protect people. Two weeks ago, you know, or a week ago, really, we have the Atlanta shootings of eight people. The numbers are just going up. This week, it's, you know, 10 people. I mean, who's to know what's going on next week and the next week after that. But ultimately, we do have two bills in the House that needs to go to the Senate, and it needs to be passed. If we start to do the legislative process outside of the thoughts and

prayers, I think we could probably get past knowing what the solutions is versus protecting the gun rights. Michael, we lost dozens of kids in Sandy Hook and they did nothing. To me, this is where if you're Democrats, you use your power. You break the filibuster. This is hugely popular. This is not like 5149 in terms of gun control in this country. It is a very large majority of American people

who say sensible gun control makes sense. But Republicans are held, frankly, they're being squeezed by their balls by the NRA. And that's what you're dealing with here. Absolutely. I mean, the whole question about problem and solutions, we've had, I don't know, numerous conversations about this every time there's a there's a mass shooting. Yeah, there are these side issues relative to what what the ethnicity of the shooter was, what the targets were, what the motives were. All important, but we keep, they're the same conversations. There's really nothing different.

And nothing is going to change until what you just used this word, filibuster. And I think that unless you're, I think the filibuster should be broken for, frankly, three very important matters that help move this country in the right direction. Clearly, gun reform. Not taking anyone's Second Amendment rights away. That's another red herring that they use to scare people away. That is not the case.

I have not heard one single Democrat, I don't care how far left, talk about abolishing the Second Amendment. Never heard it. No one's ever said that. Second, obviously, if you're, you know me, Roland, I'm a D.C. resident, I think D.C. should be a state. I think the filibuster should be broken for that, as well as voting rights, a federal uniform voting rights bill. Those are the three issues Democrats should stand up and say, we need to break the filibuster for that. Now, for infrastructure, housing, the environment, other issues, you know, you do what you have to do and you try to get as

many votes as you can. Maybe you can get to 60. Maybe you can't. But on those three core issues, guns, D.C. statehood, and voting rights, should be, the filibuster should be broken for those things. Because until that, Republicans are going to can clearly fight each of those issues, not because it's right or wrong, but just for political reasons. They don't want two additional, what they would think, two additional Democratic senators in the chamber. They don't want to piss the NRA off, and then they get primaried. And voting rights, they clearly want to suppress as many votes as possible.

So, Roland, we've got a lot of work to do, and you're right. It's going to take a lot of courage from Leader Schumer, and we'll see what happens. Well, we certainly will see what happens, but it's just so sad that when we look at what is happening in this country and how political leaders do not have the guts to do what's right, and it's so horrible. All right, folks, on to our next story. The B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant first spotted in the U.K. is spreading across the United States. It's not only more easily transmitted, but it also appears to be more deadly. Like, really? Is that what we're dealing with now?

This is a significant story here when we talk about how COVID is changing. And we had specialists last year, Teresa, who told us point blank, this was going to happen, how it was going to mutate, how it was going to change, and how we have to be ahead of the game. Thankfully, we've got a president with some common sense in the White House. But again, we better understand that our practices must continue. We must continue to wash hands, wear masks, take all the precautions and stop listening to these fools out here who say masks don't matter. Yeah, you're absolutely right. Look, we are going into spring break. And as we saw what happened in Florida, the spring breakers are out there. You know, the curfew was extended and people are just going mayhem.

You know, they're not using their protective PPE. They're not wearing their mask. They're not, you know, essentially, I was told hand sanitizers weren't even refillable down at some of the restaurants. And people are just acting like they are getting back to normal. And just to be honest, some of them that aren't even in the vaccination stage. So it's essentially we are continuously the process of spreading not only the current COVID-19 virus, but potentially another virus that is unknown. Even travel has been on an all-time high because the rates have been low. And so people have been traveling. I believe TSA said 1.5 million people, a little bit over 1.5 million

people have been going in and out of airports and literally can be spreading this across states. So what do we do about this problem? I think part of it is we have to knowingly, it shouldn't take a campaign to tell people to keep your mask on. It's almost common sense if you want to stay safe, knowing that we have a small usage supply chain of getting the first COVID-19 cycle out, but then another unknown variant that could be another potential vaccination rollout and its process. So when we get back to normalcy, I think people just need to really have a keen sense of wisdom and understanding of what we're dealing with. It's not going to go away overnight, but it is impacting our lifestyles and hopefully it can be contained versus spread from days to come. This is, again, as we look at leadership, Michael Brown, this matters because you're not going to have a president denying the reality. And so you're going to see the directing the CDC and others to do what's right to ensure that we are protected from this new variant.

And, you know, like everything, you know, remember that old Tip O'Neill term, all politics are local. Same with the conversations you have with your friends. I fortunately enough have my second shot today of the Moderna vaccine, and I've had so many conversations with friends of mine, colleagues, not the ones that can't wait to get their shot or have already started the process,

but with folks that are apprehensive about it. And it is so frustrating to have these kind of conversations. Now, I get the history. Clearly, we know what happened in Tuskegee. We know what happened during Jim Crow. I mean, clearly, we know our history and we know what happened. This is a different time and a time where you have to trust what the medical folks are saying. And if the medical folks are saying,

get the shot, just get the shot. And, you know, even if you're on the right, who you have been opposed to anything related to COVID, as reluctant as 45 may have been, he did say, hey, get the shot, even though he did it in private and didn't want his supporters to see it. But nonetheless, it's time to trust the science, get the shot, because it's better to have whatever

little side effect there may be for a few hours or a day. It's better than getting COVID. And it's more important to keep your neighbors and your families safe. Absolutely. Ben. Yeah, no, I'm thinking of this from the perspective of collectivism versus individualism i think the default position in this country is individualism because that's what's been driven into us by the powerful and the elite and in this instance of covet 19 we really needed people to have a collectivist mentality like you know wearing a mask was not so much to protect ourselves individually but to protect our neighbor and that was far too much for so many Americans, especially when you had a president like Donald Trump who actually politicized something as simple as wearing a mask. And because of that, we had so many cases of COVID-19 spread across this country that mutations started taking place.

And also actually the variation variation is coming from Europe. But the point is, is that what we saw in Miami this weekend and what we're seeing across this country with people posting videos of them arguing over whether or not they should wear masks is selfishness. And the only way we're going to get out of this pandemic, no matter how many vaccines we come up with, we can't stay in front of American selfishness. And so the American people need to understand whether or not there's a political campaign to ensure or to encourage us to do something on behalf of someone else. We need to do something on behalf of someone else and wear our mask, get this vaccine. And if we can still stay at home and shelter in place as much as we possibly can so that we collectively can get out of this before I turn 50, Roland. Well, this is, again, it doesn't help, again, when you have these crazy folk out here who don't want to take the vaccine, who don't want to wear a mask, who don't want to wash. And they operate by this whole notion of Donald Trump. Oh, it's just going to go away.

It's going to go away in a moment. We're going to talk to dr donald el cindor associate professor of microbiology and immunology at meharry medical college about this variant what does it actually mean um and what should we be looking out for uh is doc there i am here sir how are you doing great doc explain this variant uh for our audience so we understand exactly what's going on here. So you've got a number of variants, okay? So the three main variants that are circulating in the population in the United States now that have people concerned is something called the B.1.1.7 UK variant that started out in the United Kingdom. We have about 6,390 cases in 50 states.

Then there's the South African variant, referred to as the B1351 variant. We have 194 cases in 27 states. And finally, we have the P1, or the Brazil variant, with cases in 18 states about 54 cases so you can see the greatest concern for us right now is the b117 variant and with this variant you're talking about a virus that can double every 10 days and so the greatest concern for us is in comparison the b117 variant first identified in the uk is considered about 50% more transmissible, meaning that it can be transmitted from one person to the other more readily than the original wild-type COVID-19 virus. And so what we are happy about is that it seems neither the new variants of concern that they think might escape the effectiveness of the current vaccines should not be a problem however those people that are

being treated with monoclonal antibodies they may have slightly less effective response to these variants and so these variants can be basically dealt with by wearing a mask every day. That's one thing. A mask will protect you against all forms of the virus. It also protects you against the flu virus as well. And so think about this. A mask and being vaccinated are the ways that you protect yourself from these variants. However, if you're fully vaccinated with either the Johnson & Johnson, the Moderna, or the Pfizer vaccine, they have a level of protection that you can feel comfortable with against these variants. But again, you have to be vaccinated. And when we say that, we really mean be fully vaccinated. Now, I should say that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a one-dose vaccine, so one, and you're done.

But the Johnson & Johnson efficacy is 81% versus Moderna 92% and Pfizer 94%, correct? And explain what that even means. So what that means is that if they look at those individuals that got the vaccine versus those that didn't, what they saw is 94% of those individuals that got the vaccine did not have any kind of symptoms associated with the vaccine. Okay, so the idea is that they are protected. So think about 94% as a percent of protection. So in terms of a hundred people getting infected, six of them will have disease that can be problematic. And of those six that have disease, this will be mild disease. This will not take you to the hospital. Certainly wouldn't put you on the ventilator, certainly wouldn't put you in the morgue.

So what you have to think about these three vaccines is this. All three of them are 100% when it comes to severe COVID-19 disease and keeping you out of the hospital. People simply will not have a choice of which vaccine they will get. You have to get the one that you're eligible for that's available to you. Because with those percentages, think about this, the common flu vaccine of last year is about 46%. So you can see that 70 some percent with some of these vaccine are 94, 95 was much higher than the flu vaccine. But I'm saying again, that these three vaccines that are currently approved for emergency use authorization by the FDA will protect you from severe disease and making you and you being hospitalized. And so that's the kind of vaccines that you want.

And that's going to be useful. All of them are useful in that regard. All right, Dr. Alcindor, we certainly appreciate it, man. Thank you so very much. Thank you. All right, Folks, we come back. Tamika Mallory says to all of her critics, y'all want to sit here and question me? You want to challenge me when it comes to supporting families? Come on, let's go. I will explain next on the Martin Unfiltered. America is starting to breathe again. A decent

man as president, a plan to protect us. It feels almost normal, but it's not. Republicans still will not admit that President Biden was legally elected, which means they don't believe in democracy. They believe an election is only legitimate if they win. That's not democracy. Their plan? Pass voter suppression bills to block minorities from voting. Take back Congress. Impeach President Biden. We refuse.

We refuse to accept the end of the American experiment. We refuse to allow anti-democratic autocrats to steal our country. We choose to Join us. of power and this is the abuse of economic power i'm 23 years old i work three jobs seven days a week no days off they're paying people pennies on the dollar compared to what they profit and it is time for this to end essential workers have been showing up to work feeding us caring for us delivering goods to us throughout this entire pandemic and they've been doing it on a measly $7.25 minimum wage. The highest check I ever got was nearly $291. I can't take it no more. You know, the fight for 15 is a lot more than about $15 an hour.

This is about a fight for your dignity. We have got to recognize that working people deserve livable wages. And it's long past time for this nation to go to 15 so that moms and dads don't have to choose between asthma inhalers and rent. I'm halfway homeless. The main reason that people end up in their cars

is because income does not match housing costs. If I could just only work one job, I can have more time with them. It is time for the owners of Walmart, McDonald's, Dollar General, and other large corporations to get off welfare and pay their workers a living wage. And if you really want to tackle racial equity, you have to raise the minimum wage. We're not just fighting for our families, we're fighting for yours too. We need this. I'm going to fight for it until we get it. I'm not going to give up.

We just need all of us to stand up as one nation and just fight together. Families are relying on these salaries, and they must be paid at a minimum $15 an hour. $15 a minimum. Anyone should be making this a be able to stay out of poverty. I can't take it no more. I'm doing this for not only me, but for everybody.

We need 15 right now. Hi, everybody. This is Jonathan Nelson. Hi, this is Cheryl Lee Ralph, and you are watching Roland Martin Unfiltered. So yesterday here at Roland Martin Unfiltered, I talked about all of this drama surrounding activist Tamika Mallory and the criticism by Samaria Rice and others about her and Sean King and attorney Ben Crump, as well as the folks from Black Lives Matter. And it's been really

interesting watching these folks. And now you got some folks all mad and upset. Oh my goodness, you sitting here. Are you defending your friend? No, no, we talking about what's truth and what's fiction. Yesterday I also showed a tweet that I referenced was Lisa Simpson and was not her, so that was my mistake. I got no problem admitting when I

make a mistake. But when will the haters, when will the Tameka Mallory haters also admit they made a mistake. But when will the haters, when will the Tamika Mallory haters also admit they make a mistake? So, um, I talked to Tamika today and this is what Tamika told me. Anybody calling her a shyster, anybody saying that she has taken advantage of families, that she has raised money, uh, for folks and kept the money. She says she will debate any of y'all on any public platform at any time. She said point blank,

she will not have the conversation in private. So to the Wilcox woman out there, to all y'all running y'all miles, calling her a celebrity activist, she kept it simple. She said, come on. She said she'll come on Roller Martin Unfiltered and debate any of these people

or any other public platform. Now the ball's in your court. In fact, she was out of the country. She flew back. And this is what she tweeted, because some fool was sitting here trying to talk some trash. And this is what, and she was responding to, go to my

computer, please. Because this is what I tweeted. What I just told you, I just talked to Tamika. And then this fool says, SMH, she hasn't responded all of this time on any public platform, and now all of a sudden you talk to her and she's ready? How much did you offer Rolla at SMH? Tamika said,

you got the receipts? Whoever it is, I'm prepared. Let me know what's good and when. Not behind the scenes, but in front. Bring everything you have. What's the date? And make sure you bring the receipts of what you've been doing, too. Let's go.

That was sent at 6.47 p.m. today, March 22nd, 23rd, 2021. See, it's real easy to sit here and talk all y'all want to. It's real easy. Tamika posted this. Y'all lie so much behind damn keyboards. I spoke on all of this on a public platform days ago, but y'all liars just like to talk. So since you know so much about me and what I

do and how I operate, let me know when you are ready for a public conversation. Hmm. Matter of fact, one of the people who was sitting here, again, she was the one who was sitting out here posting demands and stuff like that, and I actually sent her a tweet.

And I said, let me pull it up, I said, because Tamika said she'd talk to any of y'all. But I noticed that homegirl has been real quiet. See, it's real easy to sit here and talk a whole lot of trash.

It's real easy to try to sully someone's name and reputation. But when they stand up, when they are ready to challenge you, ooh, folk get quiet. Others try to say that, well, Roland, you're giving folks a pass. No, I don't. What I have said and what I will continue to say

is that if we're going to sit here and do this, you might want to have some facts to back you up. Because if you're going to question the integrity of people out there who are on the front lines, yeah, you are going to have the integrity of people out there who are on the front lines, yeah, you are going to have to bring more than just your simpleton tweets

and Instagram posts and social media posts. And all I'm saying is she said let's not have it private. Let's have it public. I'm bringing my panel here.

I'm going to find this person's tweet because I did send her a particular tweet saying, where you at? What you want to do? Benjamin, what do you make of these attacks on... And again, these attacks have been on. They were levied by Samaria Rice and this other mother, Lisa Simpson, who lost a son in Los Angeles. They attacked Tamika Mallory, Sean King,

Ben Crump, Black Lives Matter. And I have been specifically defending Tamika Mallory because she's been in the game 25 years. And so when someone tries to call her a celebrity activist, come on now. What are your thoughts, Ben? Roland, I'm conflicted, to be honest with you. I listened to the interview that Tamir Rice's mother did with, I think it was Urban XM for Sirius. Yeah, it was Clay Kane. Clay, yeah, Clay Kane. And it was a compelling interview.

You know, and I don't know a lot about Tamika Mallory's activism, so I can't speak to her specifically. But I will say that those of us who are in the social media spaces and those of us who are, who have our platforms amplified and we're larger than life, I think sometimes that we may not take in consideration, or maybe we should take even in more consideration, the impact that perceived celebrity can have on what we're trying to accomplish. And I know that may be asking a lot of people who are busy doing what they're doing.

But honestly, I try to take that into consideration every single day. Like, whatever I do and whatever I say, I want to make sure that my good is not evil spoken of. And sometimes that requires that I go above and beyond to make sure, and I think that that is a necessary burden because the lights, the cameras, the flashing, the glamorous, the ring lights that we have, the, you know, the filters that we have in the background, sometimes that could be taken the wrong way. So I think it's incumbent upon us who have these platforms

to just be extra mindful of it, and I'm not saying that Tameka is not, but in other spaces, I know that that is something that is lacking. Well, here in other spaces, I know that that is something that is lacking. Well, here's the deal, though, Teresa. The more popular you get, the others might deem you a celebrity. But here's the whole deal.

If you want to criticize Tamika when she was at the Grammys, you wasn't seeing shit when she was arrested in Louisville. Correct. You wasn't seeing shit when they were there until 4 o'clock in the morning bailing other people out. The folks wasn't saying a damn thing when we were with them in Georgia as they were canvassing door to door

on the last weekend encouraging folks to vote. We were there.. We were there. Our cameras were there. And in fact, one of the women here, here it is. There's this, I'm going to show you this here. And this woman, this R.A. Wilcox, go to my computer, please. She goes, journalism is in crisis. Celebrities, celebrity activists are going so hard

to discredit these mothers with no regard for who they are or their stories. Roland Martin doesn't even know Lisa Simpson's story, yet has an opinion. And she says, thinks that I'm Lisa Simpson. And I said, going hard? I said, if I can admit the mistake. I said, but can you admit that Tamika Mallory

had no involvement in the Tamir Rice case? This other person says, as soon as you admit that you seem very confused about the topic at hand, when did the family ever say that she was involved in the Tamir Rice case? Journalism requires familiarity with at least the basic facts of an issue. Well, someone else responds to that woman, Lola, by saying that Samara Rice did on Clay King's show. I didn't see it. Where is the evidence that Tamika used Tamir on a flyer, put him on a shirt, raised money in his name? If you're going to accuse someone, then provide the receipts.

That's all I'm saying. This Wilcox woman. Samara has been very clear that her critiques of Tamika are not exclusive to Tamir. Her critiques of Tamika are because she sees that she is doing to other families what Sharpton, Crump, and King have done to her. Tamika has done everything you just named to other families. Sharpton, Crump, and King have done to her. Tamika has done everything you just named to other families. Tamika responds, I'm not asking you to prove it publicly in my face. This ain't hard.

Just prove where I did any of this. My issue is with you since you seem to be the one pushing the lies. The families I work with have asked me to go harder and do more. Every single one of them. See, this is what I, see, this was my whole point yesterday, Teresa. If you're gonna

call somebody's name, back it up. If you're gonna call somebody out, bring the receipts. But if you ain't got receiptsipts you deserve to be called out one lie of speculation goes into another point of non-justification of the facts so it's essential that we understand what tamika's purpose is she is the millennial voice that has been an advocate in the struggle, started a nonprofit organization that helps people for free, and also was raising money, I believe even on a cash app, to try to bring some funding in, not even going to grant and other foundations in order to get that support that other nonprofit organizations does. She is a relevant voice in the movement. She is the reason why families are out here on the front lines

getting the acknowledgment that is necessary. They called Tamika because Tamika gets results. They called Ben Crump because Ben Crump gets results. They called Al Sharpton because he gets results. No one's calling those other names that are on Twitter accounts bashing people who get results. They called Al Sharpton because he gets results. No one's calling those other names that are on Twitter accounts bashing people who get results. It's very unfortunate that you start to see our people do this to each other because in a certain manner, it's like you can only be at a certain pinnacle when it comes to getting relief. We've been fighting for the same struggle.

Honestly, there shouldn't be a celebrity advocate in criminal justice reform. We should just be getting the reform. But since we've been fighting for the same rights, for the same civil liberties, for the same gun violence, for the same privileges that every white, Black, and Asian American in this United States should have, then yes, we are going to get scrutiny. We are going to get persecuted. But again, there should not be any advocates, celebrity advocates in the first place if we all had equal rights. It's very unfortunate that, you know, our sister in the struggle, who is fearless, who literally could have picked any job, probably could have

been CEO of another company, decided that this, you know, and again, I'm somebody who is not on the level of Tamika by any means, but I am an admirer of her work and many other women who are celebrities who she has pulled in under her ranks and said, listen, fight with me, stand with me. This is the reason why. And she's very articulate in her process. So when we tear each other down and when we can't provide facts, we also perpetuate this false notion that, again, Black people don't stick together. We're crabs in a barrel and that we never get things done and division always wins. So why won't we try something different and that we never get things done, and division always wins. So why won't we try something different,

and maybe we can get out the struggle? This is what I found to be real interesting. As a matter of fact, somebody just posted this, and I'm going to pull it up, because all these folk were attacking. All these folk were attacking Tamika and Until Freedom, Michael, for a series of events that took place in Louisville for Breonna Taylor. People did not like the for Breonna Taylor. People did not like the name Breonna Conn.

What, what, what, what, what? Y'all doing this big old barbecue. What's going on? It took place on August 23rd. I had one person, you know what, let me just go ahead and make him real famous.

You can take it down. I had one guy on Twitter, Michael, who was angry and upset. He called the barbecue tacky.

He attacked the event. What was interesting, Michael, about him attacking the event is that Brianna's mama helped plan it. Brianna's mama, Brianna's mama was there. And I said, oh, so are you calling Brianna's mama Brianna's mama was there and I said oh so are you calling Brianna's mama tacky

I then said um and uh it's this fool right here go to my computer right now this fool galvanizing Yo ass lazy. Because he was the one, I'm sorry, or she, I can't tell she, she lazy. I mean, you, she, hold up. I'm trying to find it. I really want y'all to see what she posted. She really posted that it was tacky. And I said, you are talking about an event her mama was involved with. And I said, so you calling, here it is. It was exploitive and disingenuous, not to mention very tacky and telling. Mama could have been there all through and through. She was grieving. But these folks that came up with the barbecue were calculating in their gold, which was not to bring justice, but to commercialize real trauma.

They were giving away food to the community. They were rallying the community. They were giving away food for free to the community. They were rallying the community. They were giving away food for free to the community. They had pound discussions around it. The whole point was to keep the pressure on the city of Louisville to fire the cops,

to have the charges, and to impact the settlement, which they did. So, I'm trying to impact the settlement, which they did. So I'm trying to understand, Michael, Samaria Rice and Lisa Simpson, they get to tell some other mother what they can do? Does Samaria Rice, and I'm not attacking them, I'm asking a basic question.

Does Samaria Rice and Lisa Simpson get to tell some other mother and father how they should interact with activists to get justice for their children? If Samaria Rice and Lisa Simpson want to speak on behalf of their cases and their children, that's perfectly fine with me. They don't get to tell Breonna Taylor's mama how she should engage and who she should engage with. That to me is the problem here, Michael, that you are saying, oh, you've done this with other families.

Have you talked to them? Have you reached out to them? I was on Tamika's page where numerous mothers and fathers were like, thank you for calling me. My child was killed eight years ago, and you're still saying touch. Come on, man. I'm not going to sit here and be silent as I watch individuals like Tamika put it on the line, staying with families

and folks tear them down and can't bring no receipts. I think the other problem, Roland, is the problem with this pandemic is people just are sitting around on their computers all day long trying to figure out what to do and say after their Zoom call at work that lasts a few minutes.

And, you know, obviously jealousy plays a role, as I co-signed with what my co-panelists have just said. What is interesting to me, who created this sorry-ass title of celebrity activist? It's stupid, because so what if somebody's been toiling in the weeds all day long and get invited to an award show? What, they shouldn't be able to go? If you have the ability, was King a celebrity activist?

Was Malcolm X? Was Harriet Tubman? I mean, it's so stupid. Because just because we have to distinguish someone, an activist who's toiling in the field gets press coverage, to you, that means celebrity. To other people, that means I'm just toiling

and the press is coming and asking me questions. And for people to conflate them, and then you have the haters of course, as you've mentioned, and jealousy, it's unfortunate. When people are, you know, people grieve the way they want to grieve. And you can't tell them what's right and

wrong when you're sitting up on your couch with your computer in your hand. So, I think more support would be better rather than knocking people down. Here's the thing for me, Benjamin. I'm sitting here on Tamika's Instagram page. This is what I see right here.

I see right here, Sabrina Fulton. Tamika Mallory, I'm still with you because you are still with me. So does that mama count? A person over here, Trakecia Clemons. Since day one of my assault, she has been by my side. So does her voice matter as well? I can go down here, and there are some other mothers and fathers who were on the page talking about how they stood with them, how until freedom has been with them. that when you have this person,

this Wilcox who's posting stuff and the demands are they must step down. They must hold no news conferences, make any public statements. They must do nothing as if you got the right to tell somebody else how to use the First Amendment. Yeah, um... I think we have a lot of things that are being, like, slammed into one here.

Um, and I think, again, I can't speak to Tamika Mallory's work because I don't know enough about her individual work outside of what I see on social media. But I do know that there is a justice industrial complex where people capitalize and monetize on the deaths, whether they want to or not, whether they think they're doing it or not. They literally are able to make entire careers off the blood of people's children. Um, and of course, in that category of people who have lost their children, the most grievous of categories that we all hope

no one else could ever be in, they're gonna have difference of opinions. And some are going to stand with Tamika Mallory, and again, I don't know enough about her work, so I wouldn't dare put my name, my word against her. But in this space, there are people who take advantage of these situations.

Right, right. Both for building their platforms, both for their voices to be amplified, and both for opportunities to make some money. And all I'm saying, Ben, all I'm saying is, if you're going to make that allegation, back it up.

Yeah. But don't make the allegation and you can't back it up. Yeah. But don't make the allegation and you can't back it up. I think some people could. Maybe not with Tamika, but I think in some cases it could be made. But I would say... But here's the deal, though. I ain't talking about somebody

else. See, I'm real clear who I'm talking about. See, what I'm arguing here, if you gonna lump Tamika in with Black Lives Matter, in with Sean King, in with Ben Crump, and attack all

these people, you better have the receipts for all of them. Look, Ashley Yates, who's an activist, Ashley put out a tweet, and I responded to it. And I put it up. And look, I've had Ashley on before.

We've communicated. We've talked. I ain't got no problem with her. I've seen her critiques before. And so I ain't got no problem with it. And so I had posted my tweet about going hard. Nope. Demanding truth and not opinion. Go to my computer. Too many people on social media are responding to non-facts. Go to my computer. Come on. If I made a mistake, I can admit that. Ashley says, Roland, don't do this because you

know that's not true. You've given these shysters a pass for years, refusing to ask the hard questions or present the hard evidence while still inviting them on your show to further their lies and propaganda. Maintaining access is costly. I responded, are you saying Tamika is a shyster? Why? Spell it out. Who else? Name names. Don't hide behind shysters. Be specific if you got a gripe.

Bring receipts. I've asked more hard questions than anyone else. I don't need to maintain access. I say, hell, I've had you on too. See, that's all I'm saying. Don't throw it out. You can't back it up. Don't group everybody.

If you can't back it up, you'll critique of everybody. That's all I'm as all I'm sitting here saying. Truth is truth. Teresa, truth is truth. And either we don't have a truthful conversation or we don have an emotional, fictional conversation. But the danger in attacking people with lies that you can't prove is you are impugning their integrity. You are dishonoring their name.

And by you trying to cast doubt into who they are, I will never forget, Teresa, in 1988, Max Robinson, the first black nightly newscast anchor, was speaking at Howard University. His body was riddled with AIDS. He was frail

and thin, and he said at Howard University, never, ever lose your integrity or your credibility because in the end, that's all you've got. Yeah, and it's especially true for black people. I mean, how many times have we seen elected officials, I mean, i.e., Governor of New York, Governor Cuomo,

he has over 10 allegations against him, even a current one, sitting in his office. And yet, you know, he's still in office. And so it's like, you know, when African Americans particularly are in these positions fighting for, like, rights, not running for public office, but literally fighting for justice and fighting for strength of others, it's just interesting, you know, where the attacks are coming from. It's coming from our own. And it's so unfortunate and it's just so disheartening, really, that even if you're not in the inner circle, you can't support on the outer circle. And then when other people are asking you to literally pull receipts, show us the facts, give us the recordings, give us something that

show us that what you're saying to tear down another African-American woman or male, someone who is on the front line fighting for families, that you know this is wrong or that some truth is in somewhere or maybe have a larger conversation. Because, you know, like Brother Benjamin said, yes, there are people out there who do this, but they don't last. So those who, you know, have been out there, you know, and getting some of those offerings, right? I mean, let's just call it what it is. You know, we have some past elected officials or those who were never elected, and I don't want to mention their names,

but, you know, every time I have a speaking engagement, it's a half a million dollars a year. Why? What have you done? And so part of the problem is those who are not getting those type of funding opportunities when they haven't done the work as much, it's just disheartening to tear down someone who has really been putting up the fight

and just tearing down each other when we're really trying to all come out of this together. Again here, here's my whole deal. If you got a problem with Sean King, say it. Produce your information. If you got a problem with Black Lives Matter, say it, produce your information. If you got a problem with Ben Crump,

say it, produce your information. You got a problem with Tameka Mallory, say it, produce your information. But if you can't produce the information, we got a right to fire back at you and say, why don't you create all this dissension based upon lies? Because, see, here's the thing that I said yesterday, Mike, and we got to be real damn careful. You got

these dumbasses like this fool Deja Gajor. Roland Martin profits the most from Black pain. Without Black pain, there would be no Roland Martin. He even creates it to keep shows on. A lot is lies and propaganda. Deja, bring your ass.

Bring your ass, Deja. Deja, I your ass. Bring your ass, Deja. Deja, I'll call you out. D-E-J-A-G-I-G-U-E-R-E. Bring your ass. First of all, on this show, we highlight black success, black-owned businesses, black experts,

black coronavirus experts, black doctors, black lawyers, black engineers, HBCUs. We talk about black advancement, black economic advancement. But see, silly-ass folks like you, Deja,

hop your little lying ass on YouTube and smack your damn gums and you ain't done a damn thing. See, all y'all folk who want to say, well, Tamika ain't done this, ain't done that. What have you done? What have you done? In fact, I had some fool while we were sitting here. First of all, you know what?

Let me just go ahead and go to my computer. See, since folk want to be famous today, see, since you want to run your damn miles, since you want to be Twitter famous, this fool right here, T. Lars Supreme, since you want to run your damn miles, since you want to be Twitter famous, this fool right here, T. Lars Supreme, yeah, professional troll, that's exactly what you are. You got 32 weak-ass followers.

First, he tried to criticize me having an ascot. Then I told the fool I had my own line of Ascots, which means I own my company. Oh, but then his attitude changed. I love this here. I hope instead of having, see, let me just show y'all, let me show y'all what happens when you embarrass trolls who have 32 followers, T. Lars Supreme, and then they want to get super black conscious when you embarrass they punk asses. Right here. He's just mad you asked him to

do his job instead of ascot shopping. I've got my own line. No need to shop. Next. LOL. Proud of having a line of ascots. The comedy writes itself. Not idiot. I own my own company. Oh, I hope instead of having petty, insecure Twitter squabbles because hit dogs will holler,

you take some of those profits from your own company to actually support on-the-ground organizers working on protecting black lives from police violence. See, that's what happens when you get embarrassed and now you want to get conscious. T.ge Supreme, holler at me when you get to 35 followers. Mike, go ahead.

I really don't know what to add to that, Roland. I mean, you've laid it out. You give people an opportunity to come back, and then when you hit them back harder with facts, they crumble. Like any troll, like any schoolyard bully,

it's the same process with anybody. You stand up to them, and then they quiver. And we'll see what kind of tweets you get later today or tonight or tomorrow about this conversation, but you laid it all out. I really have not much to add. You put it where it needed to be put. Before I go to my next

topic, I do also want to address this, because, see, I get a kick out of people who love to present a different picture, and frankly, they lie. Check this out. Remember the

dude we had on the show who was booked to talk about voter suppression? This guy, a new emerging king, the dude from Albany. My favorite portion of this interview with Roland Martin, this part was so beautiful, do for self, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. So then, of course, you know that troll

Boyce Watkins decides to talk to him, and Boyce trifling ass, because Boyce is also a liar. Yeah, being as getting real uncomfortable on this show is calling him guilty. I'm good. So, little King Randall,

got all these little trolls, oh, Roland Martin don't like doing for self. I created this, so that's kind of stupid. And so, they were all running their mouths. Oh, you should be celebrating this king for starting his own school.

Or why are you hating on them? And I had to explain to people that, well, maybe part of the problem, because y'all like, oh, you trying to tear him down. I say, well, maybe part of the problem is y'all don't want to accept the reality that he agreed to come on the show to talk about voter suppression. But then he wanted to do a bait and switch when he was on the show. Just in case folk think I'm lying. Oh, no. Here we go. Pull the email.

Receipt. See? Receipt. Oh, no. Here we go. Pull the email. Receipt. See? Receipt. That's right. I'm going to have receipts for your ass. This is what I tweeted. Guess who is quiet as hell about this racist and massive voter suppression bill from Georgia Republicans? Black Republicans like Alveda King, Bruce Lavelle, Angie Stanton, Janelle Kaye,

Jalen Johnson, New Emerging King, Also Quiet, Paris Denard, C.J. Pearson, Kim Baltimore. King ran on tweets. Dropped the lower third. LOL, I'm glad you thought of me, though. Jalen Johnson, you want to go on the show? Hmm.

Interesting. That's what he tweeted. So guess what happened next, y'all? What happened next was... I said this. Son, you a black conservative from Georgia. Easy question, new emerging king, Jalen Johnson. Do y'all endorse and support the Georgia Republicans'

voter suppression bill? Do y'all stand and support the Georgia Republicans' voter suppression bill? Do y'all stand with black people? Come back to me, please. I then sent this. Y'all going to love this one here. Hey, Jalen Johnson, you really don't think Georgia Republicans isn't targeting black people? Y'all see where it says this tweet

was deleted by the tweet author? That's where Jalen tweeted, oh, he not gonna have us on the show. Y'all see he deleted it. King Randall responded, he ain't gonna do it. All he gonna do is get 10 people on the panel versus us two

and over-talk us the whole time like a female. LOL. That's what King Randall, Mr. Manly Man, tweeted. Come back to me, please. Last one. Here's a tweet where I said it.

Both of you bring your asses. King Randall, LOL, send an invite and tell me when. Guess what? When Randall came on the show, oh, no, I'm not bothered with voting. I'm all about doing it for self.

It's called bait and switch. See, so if y'all want to sit out here and say, man, why are you condemning this young brother, you know, who bought his own school and bought his own bus? The topic was never his school. The topic was never the bus. I just showed you the receipts on how his ass, he was invited to discuss voter suppression,

but he did not want to do it. And now you want to post edited clips, oh, on how you schooled me and I was attacking this young brother, and then you got troll-ass Boyce Watkins, who is nothing but a clout click chaser, because he can't build his own audience. He's got to use me to build his audience.

Clout click chaser? See, I told y'all I'm going I have receipts So I wasn't condemning the brother But since he decided to switch the topics By trying to say I don't really care about voting

On myself when he was invited Because he was defending voter suppression on Twitter. And also, that little punk ass Jalen J. Johnson, the one who really was trying to comment, let me make your ass

famous too right now because I need to put you up. This little punk, Jalen Johnson, right here from Washington, D.C. Go ahead and show it. Team Byron Donalds, opinions here

are mine and mine alone. Donald Trump, Rodney Davis, Mark Walker alum, Georgia boy coerced to D.C. This little sorry ass dude been running, y'all. He was the one who said, I would never book him in LeKing Randall. I issued the invite.

Jay, no, go back. Jalen's weak ass won't come on to talk voter suppression of Republicans in Georgia. If you gonna run your mouth on Twitter, bring your ass. Anybody else got anything left to say on this topic? Bring the receipts, you know. Let that be a lesson to all you trolls, bring the receipts, you know?

Let that be a lesson to all you trolls, because I've been seeing some of the commentary myself. But you better be glad I'm very, very busy to respond. But let that be a lesson to you. There you go. Go ahead, Ben. Yeah, yeah. I would just say, you know, for folks, for everyone who's doing good work, God bless you.

For everyone who doesn't realize that this system will commodify our revolution and sell it right back to us on the Grammy Awards, in Coca-Cola commercials, and still do nothing about justice, just be mindful that that's happening to you. And if you're going to sit here and try to tell me that I don't believe in black self-sufficiency, when that's

literally what we talk about five days a week, no, what you should be saying is why the little 21-year-old boy who y'all praising is making excuses. And he came on the show for one reason, then played bait and switch. But see, I know

you had no little following. And you got all the little white conservatives tweeting me, oh, that's right, he's the rubber president. But guess what, King Randall? Ask them same white conservatives where their asses were when Ahmaud Arbery got shot. That's it. Ask the same ones. Ask the same ones...

Ask the same ones why they quiet about voter suppression in Georgia. Yeah, uh-huh. It's amazing how quiet those trolls get. This is a warning to any of y'all out here. If you come at me... Y'all leave rolling them on. I agree with that.

He's a grown-ass man. Don't mess with this man. If you come at me, you bet not miss. Especially with the African guy. He ain't playing. Y'all leave this man alone, please. I'm telling you right now, you come at me and you come at my friends, you bet not miss because if you lie, if you lie, I will expose you.

My philosophy has been the same my whole career. If you do good, I'll talk about you. If you do bad, I'll talk about you. At the end of the day, I'll talk about you. Keep you do bad, I'll talk about you. At the end of the day, I'll talk about you. Keep trying me and see what happens. Hashtag team, whip that ass,

gonna show up every time. I'll be back on Roland Martin Unfiltered in a moment. Oh my God. Thank you. Good afternoon. How's it going? I have my Congressman from Zulong here. He wanted to see a visit. He's a representative of the building. He's a representative of the building.

He's my little staff member. He's my little staff member. Thank you. Thank you, sir. I would assume she'll be back in about 15-20 minutes. Okay. Do you know how long she'll be back here once she returns? Because we are also making some deliveries to leadership and capital. I can't speak to that. I think we're about to start if you guys want to circle back. Do you know how long she'll be back here after, when she returns? Because we are also making some deliveries

to leadership and capital. So I can't speak to that. I think we're about to start the new round of votes. I'm not actually a person. We're about to start the new round of votes and stuff. Can we just text your scheduler? You can text me. Can you give me your number?

I can give you my card or whatever. I also have my Guam guardsmen that are out there on the deployment. They wanted to come over and say hello to you. I'm sorry that you guys missed her, she's literally in an interview, she's coming back from the Hill. We'd love to see her. Yeah I think it'll be really quick. Thank you so much for coming by. Where is y'all's office?

We are actually the same building, 6th floor. Oh great, 6th floor. 1632. I'm sorry, your name again? Taylor. Taylor, you want to come on and say hi? Sure, yeah, absolutely. So guys, Congresswoman Greene will probably be coming back in 20 minutes. We'll probably circle back.

This is Taylor, her legislative director. She just wanted to come on. Hi, guys. Hi, guys. Hey, thank you guys so much for all that you do. We really appreciate it. Thank you guys for keeping us safe. The Congresswoman should be back hopefully in the next 30 minutes or so, and I know that

she would love to meet all of you and say hi and just tell you how much she appreciates the hard work that you guys do. Hi, I'm Vivian Greene. I'm the executive director of the Congressional Committee for the Arts and Culture. I'm here to talk about the Congressional Committee for the Arts and Culture. I'm here to talk about the Congressional Committee for the Arts and Culture. I'm here to talk about the Congressional Committee for the Arts and Culture. I'm here to talk about the Congressional Committee for the Arts and Culture. I'm here to talk about the Congressional Committee for the Arts and Culture. I'm here to talk about the Congressional Committee be back, hopefully, in the next 30 minutes or so, and I know that she would love to meet all of you and say hi and just tell you how much she appreciates the hard work that you guys do.

Hi, I'm Vivian Green. Hey, everybody, this is your man Fred Hammond, and you're watching Roland Martin, my man, unfiltered. -♪ Only 5% of doctors in the United States are black, and the Student National Medical Society is on a mission to change that.

The organization supports current and future minority medical students. Check out this video of medical students across the country finding out last year they've been matched to a residency. I'm out. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Yeah! Joining us now is Osase Oboe, president of the Student National Medical Society.

How you doing? I'm doing well. How are you? Great to see you. That was, of course, it's always great to see those videos. And it's important because they show their excitement. But walk folks through how, how serious this is. The problem that we have, I mean, we have the problem when it comes to in the field, frankly, black folks not trusting these white doctors and their care. That's why we got to have more African-Americans in medicine.

Yeah. So first of all, thank you for having me. Just watching that video actually gets me really emotional. I'm in that video. We put that together last week to celebrate a lot of our members who were able to match into their dream residency choices. I think that this pandemic and also just the uptick in the racial unrest that we've been seeing has been, has made it even more important for us, for the SNMA to exist, for us to continue to work towards supporting and ensuring that folks that look like us are graduating from medical school. Because getting in is a feat on its own and getting out is a whole nother journey. So I think one, it's really great that you have us on

here to come and talk about why it's important to diversify the face of medicine. Just we, we, I'm still reeling myself just because I was able to match. But I think just one thing that I do want to say is that it's really important for us to also just focus on the pipeline. Because I think back to my story, like sitting here now, Matt's going into going into my first job as a physician. Dr. Oboe. Yes. I think back to the different people, the different key points in my journey that where I had folks that were discouraging me, whether that was folks that didn't believe like, oh, I've never seen a black doctor. Are you sure you want to do that? Are you sure you don't want to do nursing or what about physical therapy or something else? And so I'm sure that my story is not rare.

So many of our members are going through this, whether that's at their high school, at their college, being discouraged from this path, saying that they're not worthy or they're not going to make it or whatever. And so the Student National Medical Association has been here for over 60 years just supporting us. I am a testament to that fact. I actually have my sweatshirt here. I matched to the number one institution for internal medicine. I'm going to Hopkins and I wouldn't be here without this organization. Over the weekend, I was in Houston. Cameron Champ was on the PGA Tour Pro and he had a golf tournament. It's called the MAC Invitational. And at that golf tournament, it was his dad runs the foundation. And it was put on specifically to highlight mostly black and Latino golfers, but also to give folks an understanding that all they're asking for is an opportunity.

And an opportunity to show what they can do. And, you know, that's the thing that also I think we talk about medicine. When you talk about where we are. Look, folk, all they're saying is I just want a shot. Don't block me. Don't sit here and get in my way, but just give me an opportunity for a shot, for me to be able to compete, for me to be able to go out there, earn a scholarship, be able to show what I can do. And that's really what a black student is saying when it comes to medicine.

Yeah, definitely. I think that's one of the great things. So when I found out about the Student National Medical Association, it was because they were giving scholarships for pre-meds to be able to take the entrance exam for medical school. The exam is like $365, classes are over $1,000 a piece. And I was struggling to try to save and be able to pay for it myself. And so I think it's important for us to find those organizations, those groups that are supporting and encouraging students that look like us, Black, Latino, other BIPOC students that are trying to pursue careers in medicine because we need each other. We need us to make it. We need us to fill these hospitals so that our folks are getting taken care of in the best way possible.

And as I was saying, this was, go to my computer please, this was a shot, these were some of the young women who competed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Houston. And there were college golf teams there, Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern University, and other universities because opportunity for them to see upcoming talent to possibly recruit. And that's what we were talking about. And while I was there, it was a white gentleman,

was friend of Cameron's dad. He played baseball with his dad in Mountain League Baseball, who's actually a doctor in Utah. And he was talking about the difficulty of them recruiting black doctors in Utah. And I said, look, I said, look, I love having you on the show. I said, talk about an opportunity. He said, look, we want to offer opportunity. He said the people looking for one. He said, I'm looking for black residents. And I said, all right, we'll put it out there because that's what folks are looking for. The opportunity. Right. Well, please put us in contact with him because we would love to connect him with some of our members that are looking for spots, especially coming into this next year of applications.

Oh, no, I will do that because I'll have to make sure Jackie, who's my booker, sends me your information because I sent it to him. And I said it was interesting. We had that conversation and then I saw y'all's video the next day. And I told Jackie, I said, hey, book him on the show to be able to get this out. Let's go to my panel of questions for you. Mike Brown, we'll start with you first. You know, it's interesting. Do you find, when I went to law school, I was one of two people of color in my class, no, three in my class. Do you see the same thing in medical schools?

I know Roland mentioned only 5%, but is it the same thing if you... I'm not talking if you go to Meharry or Howard, but if you go to a white school, is it the same kind of one or two? And is the recruiting from colleges to medical schools, same as law schools or business schools, the same?

Or have you ever done a comparison of the three? You know, I haven't done a comparison. I have been getting in contact with like BOLSA, like the Black Law Student Association's national president, as well as folks that are in other professional organizations to kind of have that conversation. But I will say, as far as medical school is involved, we are not sought out. It's hard to answer this question the best way possible. So when you're applying to medical school, you're begging for someone to let you in. It's not even necessarily about your qualifications, sometimes about who you in. It's not about, it's not even necessarily about your qualifications,

sometimes about who you know. So when it comes to students like us, unless our numbers are insanely competitive, there are so many people trying to tell you you're not going to get in, you're not qualified. So I know at my school at Michigan State University, they made sure to do their job to go to health fairs or career fairs where folks like us would be, so that they could try to get us and try to retain us and try to get us to apply at least. So my institution has done a good job. And of course, once the thing that we don't always talk about is that once students, once like black students are in, we're holding the door open. So once I got in, I was over here emailing the admissions directors, every person that I felt like I could advocate for to get in. So they were able to get interviews and then able to get acceptances. And that's what students are doing, especially at

PWIs across the country to try to get people in the door. But as far as my membership goes, in a lot of our schools, especially in like the Utahs and places like that, it's one person per class, one person in four years. So. Got it. Well, good luck, one person in four years. Got it. Well, good luck and keep up the good work. All right, Teresa. Thank you.

Yeah, well, congratulations. I'm always interested in probably the long-term strategy and plan to make sure that this is known across the country. So have you guys thought about maybe a virtual conference or something where you guys are doing continuous engagement because enrollment does happen year round. So have you guys started thinking about that strategy and how can others support your efforts? Oh, that is a brilliant question. So every year, Easter weekend, we have our annual medical education conference. I attended it for the first time four years ago and was blown away. We are able to get just so many residency programs as well as medical schools to come, bring their admissions folks together and allow our students to come and meet them. Folks walk away with interviews. You know, they get the chance to have that one-on-one interaction that they wouldn't have had otherwise. So yes, we definitely have a powerhouse of a conference

that happens every year at Easter. It's actually next week and virtual. So if you're pre-med and you're watching, or if you're in medical school looking to secure the residency bag, you definitely, definitely need to come and be in attendance. So in terms of folks that want to support us, we are definitely right now doing an HBCU initiative to get as many HBCU pre-med sponsored to attend the conference. We realized that we were having a lot of low numbers of those members being able to attend. And so right now it's virtual, so it's super accessible to everyone. We even have pipeline programs for high schoolers right now. So if folks want to support us, you can donate to the organization or support those specific initiatives. Benjamin. You were speaking about, first of all,

congratulations. This is fascinating and amazing. You were speaking about the pipeline. And I'm curious, in that pipeline, have you seen any emphasis being placed on the health disparities, particularly as it pertains to Black women? And have you seen any urgency from administration, admissions, or even faculty, the instructors, as it pertains to how we combat in the long run the health disparities that we see for Black women? I will say not specifically. I think talking about it from the S&MA lens, as far as S&MA is concerned, that's what we're about. So we create that programming where we don't get it in our institutions, right? So whether we're doing webinars about it, whether it's a workshop at our regional conferences,

we have 10 regions across the country that meet together during the fall every year to kind of talk about topics such as this. And so I think oftentimes we, you know, we try to advocate for it in our own institutions, but that's not necessarily something that's being specifically talked about. We might talk about health disparities, like hypertension. That's something that we all know it's rampant in black communities. We're for sure going to talk about that. We're going to talk about sickle cell disease. And we might see a vignette that we have a young African-American patient, 18 years old, coming into the hospital with diffuse pain, yada, yada, yada. You're automatically clued in like, okay, it's sickle cell disease.

It's a black person. So obviously they're in pain, sickle cell. So I think that right now, a lot of our students across the country are trying to push to make sure that this is included in our curriculum because every doctor that is graduating from medical school needs to know how to treat us. So I think that's something that we do internally, but something that we're pushing for externally too. All right then. Well, look, we certainly appreciate it. Thank you so very much. And I will definitely connect you with the guy in Utah. And so, look, ain't that many black folks there?

But if I'm looking for a residency, damn it, I'm going to go wherever I can go. That's it. All right. Thanks for having me. Where can people get more information about the Society? Is there a website? Yes, it's the snma.org. That is how you can find us.

You can find us on Instagram at snma underscore official. Shoot us a DM. We'll be sure to point you in the right direction. Osase Oboe, president of the Student National Medical Society. We appreciate it. That's the correct pronunciation, right? It's Osase Oboe. Osase.

See, they ain't have that. Osase. Just think about it like awesome. No, I got Osase. Well, that's what I told them. Like, y'all, ask how to pronounce it, then I'll have that. Also say. Just think about it like awesome. No, I got to also say. Well, that's what I'm telling them. Like, y'all, ask how to pronounce it, then I'll handle it. Okay.

I appreciate it. Thanks a lot. No problem. You take care. All right, folks. Everson, Illinois will officially become the first U.S. city to pay reparations to black residents. Today, the city council voted 8-1 to approve the $10 million plan, which will initially hand out incremental payments worth up to $25,000 for housing purposes.

Black residents who live in Evanston during a discriminatory redlining area between 1919, 1969, and their descendants will be the only applicants qualified for the funds. The city is using a 3% tax on legal marijuana sales to finance the reparations. Evanston Mayor Steve Haggerty called the monumental moment an important but a small first step. On a 8-1 vote, the Evanston City Council

What the hell? approved adoption of Resolution 37-R-27 authorizing the implementation of the Evanston Local Reparations Restoring Housing Program and Program Budget. Again, this is the first 4% of the 10 million. It is an important but a small first step. All right, folks. Michael, your thoughts about this? Wow. I mean, as he said and you said, it's an important first step, clearly still a long way to go, but it's impressive. And that's, you know, elections, Roland, you and I talk about it

all the time, elections have consequences. And when you get the kind of people into leadership positions that care about our or your issues, you have a chance to get what you want. And this is clearly an example of that. So congratulations to the elected folks in Evanston. Congratulations to the people that will benefit from the program. You know, just wow. Great first step. And let's see how other municipalities step up. Benjamin, we discussed this once before, and I talked about before, and some of the folk out there got real mad when I said one of the ways you start is you target individuals who are still living in redlining was one of the areas. That is those who were affected by federal public policy. There are those who want to take reparations all the way back to slavery. I said if you're going to start, this is one area where you start.

That's what Everson is doing. Yeah. No, I think it's a brilliant start because there's a lot more to the oppression that black people have suffered in this country that is recent. Right. And so the ability to tie it back to not only redlining, but Jim Crow, and then eventually going all the way back to slavery. But every state has culpability in this too. Now, don't get me wrong, the federal government needs to pay us what they owe us, right? But every city and every state, every municipality, and it's particularly in the South,

but across the country had some complicity with slavery and with Jim Crow and with redlining, and so they need to pay up. And so this is a great start, but this is just the beginning. Let's spread it across the country. Teresa. Yeah, I live in the city, a home of the brotherly love and sisterly affection, home of the Constitution. So listen, I would love to see one of these first actually take precedent here in this city. But it's happening, and I think it needs to start somewhere, so kudos to Illinois for making it happen.

All right, folks, let's go to Boston, where Kim Janey became Boston's first female and first person of color to become mayor. She replaces Marty Walsh who resigned to become President Joe Biden's labor secretary. Janey, the Boston City Council president, stepped into the role of acting mayor and is scheduled to have a ceremonial swearing in tomorrow.

Love it. Also today, folks, and there was a, the Senate confirmed the head of the OMB for the United States. Remember, they blocked Neera Tanden from becoming the head of the Office of Management and Budget because Republicans, oh, my God, they were so, like, upset and hurt by her tweets.

And so that's what they did. But today they confirmed a new head. The Black Caucus tweeted this out. The Senate voted 63 to 37 to confirm Shoshalonda Young as deputy director of the OMB. The black caucus, now this of course took place as the black caucus has come to rely on her keen intellect, knowledge of the federal budget process, CBC chair, Representative Beatty. But the thing is, Michael, there's still some folks who want her to become actually the top spot. They do. And certainly I know the vice president is pushing for her to go to the top spot. They do. And certainly, I know the vice president is pushing

for her to go into the top spot, clearly the Congressional Black Caucus, but also some of the general leadership folks understand why this like intermediate step is there. She's clearly qualified. Obviously, the president's talked about having a diverse cabinet. He's certainly achieved that. No one can question that. But I mean, she seems to be the person for the job. So we'll see what happens. It still could happen. We just have to wait and see. Ben. No, I think this is absolutely representative of what can happen, especially in this country, when we have leadership that absolutely seeks diversity

and actually stands behind their candidates. And while this may have been a disappointment for a near attendant, I think this is a magnificent opportunity for black women and for black people across the country. So salute. Teresa. Black women are leading this country.

They're leading in higher positions and it is now time to take our place. Folks, we were always talking about, of course, coronavirus, and I came across this video here that I thought was hilarious. Canadian Jeff Wright is a writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers. His funny videos have brought him more than 2.5 million followers on TikTok, and his latest skit pokes fun at the different vaccination companies vying for the top spot.

Y'all watch this. What's up, Moderna? Hey, Pfizer. What are you doing here? I'm here for the vaccine job. Really? Do you even have a vaccine? Of course I do. And it's 92% effective. That's cute. My vaccine is 94% effective, but who's counting? So you're here for the vaccine job too? Yep. So you might as well get a head start on traffic and go home. Everyone's gonna choose my vaccine. You awfully confident for someone with such a bad name. What are you talking about? Your name literally sounds like murder. Nobody wants your murder-na vaccine.

Come on, man. Moderna doesn't sound like murder. I had three name meetings and nobody said nothing. Hey, uh, did the job interview start already? Not yet. Who are you guys? See, I told you we weren't going to be late. I'm Johnson. That's my brother, Johnson.

We're Johnson and Johnson. Both of your names are Johnson? Yeah. So which Johnson name comes first? Mine does. No, mine does. But I'm older. But I put more money in.

Well, it was my idea. No, you said it as a joke, and I said let's actually do it. Hey, guys, we don't care. Just go by your first names. Johnson? Wait, so your name is Johnson, Johnson, and Johnson, Johnson? Yeah. See, I told you your name is Johnson Johnson and Johnson Johnson? Yeah. See, I told you we should've went by the Johnson.

No, then we'd be like the Jacksons, and somebody would have to be a Tito. I'm not trying to be a Tito. So you guys have a vaccine, too? Yeah, and it only needs one shot. What's your effective rate? 81%. What? What was that?

81%. Did he say ampersand? I think he said Aiden for president. Who's Aiden? Remember Aiden, that dude from our gym class, the one with the eye thing? Oh, yeah, that dude. What was up with his eye?

I think it was, like, dead. When he looked at me, I, like, felt cold. I said 81%. Oh, hell no. But we protect against more than just COVID. And we working on a new way to take the shot. Oh. That's what's up.

Because I'm tired of taking shots in the butt. Whoa. You do know you can inject it in the arm, right? Well, I knew that. I got to make a quick phone call. I'll be back. Hey, is this where the interview is happening? I have a vaccine, too.

Wait, who are you? AstraZeneca. That's a cool name. I would kill for that name. I bet you would. Shut up. Why are you so late? I was working in Europe, and I just got in. So you just got off an international flight

and then quarantined? Yeah, but that's because the inter... Trying to give me the virus. But he kept asking me to pull my pants down. You Johnsons can leave, too. I already got pre-orders from every country. I guess everyone wants my vaccine. Nobody wants your vaccine.

You probably put the chip in people. That was one time, and it was a chocolate chip. I was trying to end hunger. Next, Mr. Murder... Murderna? It's Moderna. Never mind. Okay, well, good news.

You all are approved. Okay. Then why did he give me my shot in the butt? Good. That is good. God love it, Teresa. I was dying the entire time. That is so funny, but so real.

When you start looking at the percentages, that's great. I got to retweet that. That's great. Yeah, that was a good one, Ben. Absolutely. I love it. And I think it really is going to go a long way for helping people actually get comfortable with the idea that we need to take these vaccines. Take whichever one is at your disposal, whichever one is available to you.

Go and get the vaccine. Michael. Just great creative. We have so much talent in our community. What a great ad. All right, folks, that is it for us. We want y'all to support what we do here at Roland Martin Unfiltered, which provides an opportunity for us to speak to our issues and concerns. We ain't got to ask nobody for their opinion because we just do it ourselves. Please support what we do by going to Cash App, dollar sign RM Unfiltered, PayPal.me forward slash rmartinunfiltered,

Venmo.com forward slash rmunfiltered. Go back, please. Thank you. And Zell, Roland at RolandSMartin.com. I don't know what y'all doing in the control room today, but, Lord, y'all need to take a nap. Y'all need to take a nap, okay? All right, Anthony, wake up.

And, of course, you can see in the Monday Order 2, New Vision Media, Inc., 1625 K Street, Northwest, Suite 400, Washington, D.C., 2006. Folks, that's it. I will see y'all tomorrow. Benjamin, Teresa, Michael, we certainly appreciate it. Thank you so very much.

And Benjamin, we thank you for that coat as well. Oh, oh. I know you didn't think uh i was not going to mention the floor arrangement that you decided to bring with you and wear on the show uh so i i guess i guess you bought it from people from people bryson uh or or the oj's or something like that. It was a hand-me-down from the OJs. Yes, yeah, that is definitely a stage coat. Yes, that is exactly what... Well, I'm not wearing black.

Huh? I'm not wearing black. Yeah, well, I guess the spring is coming, so you decided to break out some orange there. So, yeah, we see you. All right, folks, that's it. I'll see y'all tomorrow. Take care.

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